Sell-out comedy festival reveals next year's dates

Rik Mayall died in 2014 at the age of 56

A comedy festival that played to sell-out audiences as it remembered the late Rik Mayall has announced its dates for next year.

The second Rik Mayall Comedy Festival will be held in Droitwich from 29 May to 6 June 2026.

This year's festival saw 30 venues hosted 200 events in the town where the star of The Young Ones star grew up, before he went on to create the series that helped bring alternative comedy into the mainstream.

More than 75% of headline shows at the Norbury Theatre sold out and included performances from Greg Davies, Peter Richardson and Helen Lederer. Mayall died aged 56 in 2014.

Chris Broad, who runs the festival with Stuart Panrucker, said preparations were already under way for 2026, adding: "It does take up a lot of hours, especially as we get nearer to the festival."

This year's festival had been "extraordinary" and a "massive success", he said.

He added: "Personally I really hope it's going to develop into a great, grass roots festival that brings newer acts on, people's first step into performing, as well as some of the really established names we've had this year."

Rik Mayall would remain a key part of the event, Mr Broad added.

He said the next festival would have well-known comedians, fringe events and "a few extra things", such as more theatrical shows and workshops and courses for people to take part in.

Off-the-wall series The Young Ones helped bring alternative comedy into the mainstream